Fifth-wheel



(No Model.)

J. H. GRESSOM.

FIFTH WHEEL. No. 448,025. Patented Mar. 10, 1891.

I IH NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. GRESSOM, OF KNAPP, WVISCONSIN.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 448,025, dated March 10, 1891.

Application filed May 15, 1889- Renewed November 24:, 1890. Serial No. 372,447. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES H. GRESSOM, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Knapp, in the county of Dunn and State of WVisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Running-Gear for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in running-gear for vehicles; and it consists in a certain novel construction and combination of devices fully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a portion of a vehicle running-gear provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse central sectional view. Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the semicircular sections of the annular plate.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates the axle, above which is arranged the coupling-block B, the under side of the block being grooved transversely, as seen at b, to fit over the upper side of the axle. The vertical bolts 0 G extend through the block and pass down on opposite sides of the axle, and after projecting through perforations in the clips D D are engaged below the same by the nuts 0 c, as clearly sh own in the drawings.

The coupling-block is annular in shape, and on its upper side is arranged an annular plate E, the inner edge of which projects beyond the'inner edge of the block, and the said plate is secured in place at opposite sides by the vertical bolts 0 C, which extend therethrough. This annular plate is formed in semicircular sections 6 e, the free ends of which fit under the laterally-extending arms 0 f f of the T-shaped clips F on the upper side L, which is formed integral with the said head and fits in a recess h in the under side of the bolster. The bolster is secured to the said bar by suitable bolts passing therethrough, and, if desired, the bolster may be removed and substituted by ordinary wagonsprings, in order to convert the vehicle into a spring-wagon. This revoluble head is provided at its lower side with a laterally-extending peripheral flange M, which bears against the under side of the annular plate E, and is provided at its upper side with a similar laterally-projecting peripheral flange M parallel with the flange M, which bears on the upper side of the said plate, thereby journaling the head in the coupling-block. To apply or remove the revoluble head, it is simply necessary to remove one or both of the semicircular sections of the annular plate.

The device as described is simple in construction, is strong and durable, and may be cheaply manufactured and applied to any vehicle of the ordinary construction. The herein-described means for securing the annular plate to the upper side of the coupling block, whereby the same may be readily and quickly applied and removed, are simple and inexpensive. The upper flange, which is formed on the revoluble head, bears on the upper side of the annular plate and completely excludes dust from the journal, thereby preventing to a considerable extent the wear thereon.

Having thus described the invention, I claim 1. The combination, with an annular coupling-block aflixed to the axle and provided with an annular plate which projects inward beyond the interiorof the block, of the revoluble head having thebolster attached thereto and provided at and near its lower end with upper and lower parallel flanges, which bear, respectively, on the upper and lower sides of the said annular plate, and at its upper end with a third flange for securing the block to the bolster, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with an annular block affixed to the axle, of the annular plate on the upper side of the said block, formed in semicircular sections and secured to the block by bolts, and the revoluble head having the bolster attached thereto and provided withparallel laterally-extendin g flanges M M at and near its lower end, which bear, respectively, on the lower and upper sides of the said annular plate, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the annular coupling-block affixed to the axle and provided on its upper side with T-shaped clips F F, the annular plate formed in semicircular sections which fit at their ends underthe arms of the said clips, and the revolublehead having the bolster attached thereto and provided with upper and lower flanges to bear on the upper and lower sides of the plate, substantially as specified.

4. The combination, with the axle, of the annular coupling-block provided with a transverse groove in its under side fitting over the axle, the annular plate on'the upper side of JAMES H. GRESSOM.

Witnesses:

CHARLES KUNTSON, TIM MURPHY. 

